Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-04-29
The Burlington League.

The organization known as the Burlinp
ton League, which has been formed bv
some of the representative men of this
community, to make available the pro
vision of Mr.. w. j. Van Patten for refor
NATIVE and educational work in Burlinp
ton, Is, 1t seems to us, the exponent of one
OF the most significant movements ever
undertaken in this city. As we under
stand 1t, the organization stands pledged
to do everything it can, rs an organic body
and as individuals, for the physical mon
tai and moral improvement of this com.
munity. What this means. we NAV
realize to some extent from the fact that
the organization has already unon tic
roll of membership the names of near1v
fifty of our strongest and most influential
citizens-men whose power and influence
individually are very strong, but whose
associate influence and power in this COM
munity must be something tremendous.
What can not such an association of strong.
determined, influential, devoted men ac-
complsh But the league does not pre-
pose to stop with fifty names upon its
rolls. 1t proposes to enlist, if possible.
every strong, rght-minded man in Bur
lington; every man who wishes to identi-
fy himself with the progress of the COM
munlty in the best things. We have no
doubt that the league will number, in less
than six months some 200 or 300 members.
If fifty strong and good men are a ire
mendous, an irresistible power in a com
munity, when associated, what must we
expect of 300 influential men in organic
unity of purpose?
Rnt-4S the fO11nIar nf tho 1ao,,o NJ,
Van Patten, has aptly expressed 1.-THE
organization is going to have another
source of power "ammuniton. This
league is going TO command in its service
considerable sum of money every year.
The annual rental from the store in the
y. NJ. Z. a. block, which Is to be devoted
to the uses of the league, will be con-
siderable sum and with the aggregate of
membership fees will provide for the dis
trlbution of great deal of hot shot in
various directions. Next to influence,
available money is the greatest power for
doing good in this world. The Burlington
league will be moneyed corporation, as
well as corporation with unbounded in
fluence. Right here appears the wisdom
OF Mr. Van Patten, in providing for the
equipment of the organization at every
point.
What will the league do That is
largely question for the future to an
swer. But there are some things even
now in the minds of the executive man
agement of the organization, which may
be alluded to. The league Will be aggres-
sive. 1t will fight against immortality,
filth, degradation of every sort. one of
the first things it will try to do is, to i'm
prove the sanitary condition of oar city.
1t Will find out where sewers ought to be
constructed; where property owners
ought to connect with sewers: where the
sleeping and living arrangements of tene-
ments, etc. ought to be improved and it will
try to secure these reforms. 1t will wage
an incessant crusade against that filth and
that filthy way of living which are the
most productive sources of diseases in
large communities. The league will fight
intemperance it will fight Righteousness
it will fight Sabbath breaking, open vio-
lation of city ordinances, and everything
that fosters and panders to vice.
But the league will encourage as we'll
as repress. 1t will provide,literary and edu
cational advantages for all the people Its
NhiSl olii WIN NC w t'pllll lllC
in every way. Lectures upon all interest
ing and timely topics will be given fire.
quently Educational work will be ar
ranged. Opportunities for reading
and special investigation will be
afforded All classes of our population
will be looked after, and something Will
be done for each. The organization wishes
to be hClpfW. That is the end for which
it exists. No member of the league has
any personal advantage to gain from it
aside from the ever-blessed consciousness
of unselfish helptulness. Money, time,
talents will all be used to promote the
purposes of this beneficent organization.
1t ought to be an ever-increasing source of
good to this community; and such, we
have not the slightest doubt, this league
will be, from now on.